Kingston bus strikes cancelled after new pay agreement

By Ellie Brown - Local Democracy Reporter

7th May 2021 | Local News

The K4 bus on Kingston high street
The K4 bus on Kingston high street

REMAINING London bus strikes have been called off after the bus company, London United voted to accept a revised pay offer.

The next strikes, due to take place today (May 8) and tomorrow (May 9), have been cancelled.

Bus drivers employed by London United, a subsidiary of French company RATP, based at seven depots in West and South London have been involved in a series of strikes in a dispute over pay.

The original plan was for four days of industrial action across April and May but only the strike on April 23 went ahead.

The proposed strike on April 26 was suspended , similarly to the ones today and tomorrow.

With regards to pay, Unite members have accepted an offer of 2.25% over two years and a one off payment of £400 for 2020.

Both the 2019 and 2020 pay increases will be backdated to the relevant anniversary date.

Unite regional officer Michelle Braveboy said: "I want to pay tribute to Unite's members who have stood up and been counted throughout this dispute.

"Taking strike action during the height of the pandemic was not easy for these key workers, but it was a last resort, in order to prevent RATP slashing the terms and conditions of bus drivers and cutting their pay in real terms.

"Unite had made clear from the beginning of this dispute that it believed that this could be resolved by negotiation and once RATP began to listen to members' concerns a deal could be hammered out.

"It is hoped that this deal will mark a new start in industrial relations with RATP, especially with the 2021 pay talks due to begin later this year."

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